Spring Hill, Florida (October 9, 2012) – Oak Hill Hospital announces that it has again been a recipient of the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Company – Gold Award. Oak Hill Hospital continues to be a multiple year winner.

Start! Fit-Friendly Companies recognition program award is given by the American Heart Association’s Start! Movement. It is intended to be a catalyst for positive change in the workplace across America. It recognizes companies that demonstrate progressive leadership by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority.

Oak Hill Hospital has been recognized at the Gold Level, which means that:

· They offer employees physical activity support at the worksite

· They have increased the number of healthy eating options available to employees

· They promote a wellness culture at the worksite

· They embrace at least nine criteria as outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture

About Oak Hill Hospital:

Oak Hill Hospital has been serving the Nature Coast since 1984. It is the largest medical facility in Hernando and Citrus County (234 acute care beds), is one of the area’s largest private employers, and offers Hernando County’s only comprehensive cardiovascular program, including open heart surgery. Approximately 300 physicians, 950 associates, and over 350 volunteers comprise Oak Hill Hospital’s healthcare delivery team.

Oak Hill has achieved distinction as the:

· First and only open heart surgery hospital in Hernando County.

· First Chest Pain Center with PCI (heart catheterization) in Hernando County accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

· Firstand Only advanced level primary stroke center in Hernando County to be fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.

· First comprehensive Women’s Imaging Center in Hernando County and the first imaging center offering digital mammography with computer aided detection.

· First hospital in the area to be recognized as an accredited cancer institute by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).

· First hospital in the region to achieve Heart Failure accreditation with the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

· First hospital in the region to offer a comprehensive Orthopaedic & Spine Institute and first to achieve national certification by The Joint Commission for its Hip & Knee replacement and spinal fusion programs.

· First in the nation to have achieved 100% Board Certified Emergency Nurses, CEN’s.

· Only Emergency Care Center in Florida, and one of only 20 nationwide, honored by the Emergency Nurses Association for its first-ever Lantern Award exemplifying exceptional and innovative performance in the core areas of leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research.

· Only hospital in Hernando and Citrus Counties recognized as one of the nation’s top performers on four key quality measures – heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care – by The Joint Commission.

It is located at 11375 Cortez Boulevard, Spring Hill, 1.9 miles east of US 19 on State Road 50. For more information about this release, please contact Richard W. Linkul, Director of Marketing, at 352-597-6383 or Richard.Linkul@hcahealthcare.com. In Citrus call 352-628-6441. For more information about Oak Hill Hospital, visit our website at OakHillHospital.com, or like us on Facebook.